L DDERS
LESSON
Guided
Show Instruction
What You Know
6
Drawing Conclusions
and Making
Inferences
Before you begin this lesson on drawing conclusions and making inferences take this quiz to
show what you know. Read this story about a special piece of jewelry. Then answer
the questions.
“Nikki’s coming here!” Anna exclaimed. “Why?”
“I don’t know,” her mom said. “Maybe she needs a dose of dull and boring.”
Anna ignored the sarcasm. Her mom had never done anything exciting. Nikki, on
the other hand, led a thrilling, adventurous life, and Anna couldn’t wait to meet her.
Two nights later, Nikki and Anna’s mom were sitting at the dining room table,
talking and laughing hysterically over something that had happened a million years ago. Anna
couldn’t take her eyes off the bracelet on Nikki’s wrist.Without thinking, she reached across the
table and touched the shiny silver charms. “That’s cool,” she said.
Nikki gave Anna’s mom a puzzled look.Then, Nikki began telling the story behind each
charm. “This, of course, is the Coliseum in Rome,” she said. “Remember how we wandered onto
that movie set and got picked to be extras in that Italian film?”
“Mom!” Anna said.“You were in a movie! You’ve been to Rome!”
“My ten minutes of fame,” her mom joked.
”Your mom and I traveled everywhere,” Nikki said. “She has a bracelet just like this.”
Anna’s mom left the room.When she came back, she held out her hand to Anna. “Would you
like it?” she asked.
Anna nodded, but didn’t speak. She just stared at her mom as if she was a stranger.
Circle the letter of the best answer.
1. When Anna’s mom says that maybe Nikki
needs a dose of dull and boring, she is —
3. Why is Nikki puzzled by Anna’s interest in
her bracelet?
A
showing her dislike of Nikki
A
Anna’s mom has one just like it.
B
poking fun at her own life
B
The bracelet is old fashioned.
C trying to make Anna feel bad
C The bracelet means nothing to Nikki.
D explaining the reason Nikki is coming
D Nikki hasn’t been paying attention.
2. From story clues, you can conclude that —
A
Nikki lives in another country
B
Nikki visits Anna’s mom often
4. What does Anna’s mom give Anna at the
end of the story?
A
A copy of the film she was in
C Anna’s mom and Nikki are old friends
B
A big hug
D Anna’s mom doesn’t want to see Nikki
C A charm bracelet
D A scrapbook of her travels
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79
L DDERS
Guided Instruction 1
LESSON
6
Drawing Conclusions
and Making
Inferences
Conclusions are reasonable judgments you form about characters, settings, events, and
ideas in a text, based on a combination of clues in the text. Inferences are informed
guesses you make based on information in the text and your own prior knowledge.
To draw conclusions and make inferences:
• First, think about what the author reveals about a subject.
• Then, think about what you know already about the subject.
• Combine them to make reasonable judgments about something not stated
directly in the text.
Read this passage. Draw a conclusion and an inference about the characters.
“Dad,”Todd said. “Don’t worry. Go to your meeting. I’m fourteen. I can handle this.
I’m going to make pizza for the kids and me.We’ll be fine.”
Think About It
1. When I read, I see that Todd tells his dad not to worry and to go to his meeting. I
also learn that Todd is fourteen and believes he can take care of the kids.
2. I know that parents often worry when they leave young teenagers in charge. I also
know that parents rely on 14-year-olds they trust.
3. I can conclude that Todd is trying to reassure his father. I can infer that Todd is
trustworthy and reliable.
Access Prior Knowledge
When you access prior knowledge, you use what you have previously read and what you
have learned from your own life experiences to understand what you read.
• Think about the people, places, and events from your own life that are like the
ones you read about.
• Think about other stories you have read and how they can help you understand
what you are reading.
80
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Guided Instruction 1 continued
Read the story. Use the Reading Guide for tips that can help you access prior knowledge and
draw conclusions and make inferences as you read.
Reading
Guide
Think about the kinds of
remarks people make when
they’re talking about
something that went wrong in
the past. Pizza soup doesn’t
sound too appetizing.
Todd went to his mom for
help. Ask yourself why kids
usually go to their parents
for help.
Pay attention to details that
describe what Todd puts on
the pizza.
Think about where people
place spices they use a lot in
the kitchen, and what you
know about spice containers.
“Dad,”Todd said. “Don’t worry. Go to your meeting. I’m
fourteen. I can handle this. I’m making pizza for the kids and
me.We’ll be fine.”
“Uh, oh,” his brother Ray said.
“Remember what happened last time,” Elise said.
“Yeah,” Joey said. “I never had pizza soup before.”
“Very funny,”Todd said.
Todd’s dad left, and Todd started making the pizza. After the
last disaster, he had gone to his mom for help. Now he felt
confident as he stretched the dough and added tomato sauce and
seasonings. He sprinkled on oregano, a little salt, and lots of black
pepper from one of the small spice cans near the stove. Finally,
he added cheese.
Twenty minutes later,Todd took a perfectly cooked pizza
from the oven, but why, he wondered, did the kitchen smell like
apple pie?
“This pizza tastes like apple pie.” Elise said, after taking a
bite.
“ Yummy! I love apple pie smothered in tomato sauce and
cheese,” Ray said sarcastically.
“Cute,”Todd said. He took a bite
himself. His sister and brother were
right. “How did this happen?” he said.
“I’m not sure,” Joey said, holding
up the can of spice Todd had sprinkled
all over the pizza.“Maybe it’s because
you poured cinnamon all over it!”
Now use what you learned to draw conclusions and make inferences.
Answer the questions
on the next page.
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81
L DDERS
Practice the Skill 1
LESSON
6
Drawing Conclusions
and Making
Inferences
Practice drawing conclusions and making inferences about the story you just read.
EXAMPLE
Review the passage for clues.
From comments that Ray, Elise,
and Joey make, you can
conclude that —
When I reread what the characters say, I see “Uh, oh,”
“Remember what happened last time,” and “pizza soup.”
A
pizza is their favorite food
B
they would rather have soup
Think about what you know from your own life
experiences.
C Todd likes to experiment
with food
D Todd’s last pizza was terrible
I know that when people say “Uh, oh” and “Remember what
happened last time” they’re often talking about something
that went wrong.
Combine story clues and what you already know.
I think Todd’s last pizza was a disaster.
Now read each question. Circle the letter of the best answer.
1. What can you infer about Todd from details
in the story?
A
He values his mom’s experience.
B
He is afraid of failure.
C He is too eager to please his dad.
3. What conclusion can you draw about
why Todd’s pizza tastes and smells like
apple pie?
A
He used the wrong kind of cheese.
B
His mother probably made an apple pie
in the oven earlier.
D He never makes mistakes.
C He used more cinnamon than oregano.
2. The details in the story suggest that —
A
too much pepper ruins a pizza
B
Todd likes lots of cheese on his pizza
C oregano is a seasoning used on pizza
D everyone makes pizza differently
D He accidentally used cinnamon instead
of pepper.
4. From the story clues, you can infer that —
A
Todd can’t follow directions
B
cinnamon is an ingredient in apple pie
C learning to stretch pizza dough isn’t easy
D hot pizza tastes like apple pie
82
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Eighteen-year-old Michael Sessions won the mayoral race in Hillsdale, Michigan,
despite the fact that his name was not even on the ballot.
HILLSDALE, MI—The new mayor of
Hillsdale, Michigan, is an 18-year-old teenager
who won the election by two votes. The odds
were stacked against him because he ran as a
write-in candidate against the 51-year-old sitting
mayor. But high school senior Michael Sessions
found that age, experience, and money don’t
always matter when it comes to politics.
In his month-long, door-to-door campaign,
Sessions convinced many voters of his vision to
revitalize the local economy. “They’d look at me,
and say, ‘How old are you again? How much
experience do you have?’ And I’d say, ‘I’m still in
high school,’” Sessions recalled.
Nevertheless, his youth, energy, and $700
raised by selling toffee apples over the summer for
posters, won the support of neighbors, friends,
and powerful interest groups, like the Hillsdale
firefighters’ union.
Sessions impressed 670 voters enough to
write in his name on the ballot, compared to the
668 who voted for the incumbent mayor.
The new after-school mayor plans to bring
jobs into the community and interact with local
residents instead of just presiding over town
council meetings. Sessions insists that his high
school obligations will not get in the way of his
mayoral duties, pointing out that the $3,000-ayear job is a part-time gig.
Since Hillsdale does not offer a permanent
office for the mayor, Sessions’ bedroom will serve
as his office of power.
Meanwhile, Sessions’ successful mayoral bid
has inspired hope among other young, potential
politicians worldwide. Students from around the
world have contacted him via e-mail to share
congratulations and their own political dreams.
Write About It
Now you will practice the skill by using a real news story. Complete this graphic organizer by
filling in the boxes.
Article Details
Information I Already Know
My Conclusions
Michael Sessions
is probably very
smart.
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83
L DDERS
LESSON
Ladder to Success
6
Drawing Conclusions
and Making
Inferences
Review
As you read, you can draw conclusions and make inferences about information not directly stated
by the writer. You can combine details that the writer provides with your own knowledge and
experience to form reasonable judgments about characters, settings, events, and ideas.
Review the steps you can use to draw conclusions and make inferences.
• Pay attention to the details that the writer provides as you read.
• Think about what you already know.
• Make judgments based on a combination of what you read and what you know.
Practice 1
Read the following passage. As you read, think about the details that the writer provides about
William DeHart Hubbard. Next think about what you know about how a person’s actions can
reveal his or her character and personality. Then draw a conclusion about William DeHart
Hubbard.
The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati, Ohio, is dedicated to
preserving the history of the Underground Railroad and its heroes.The Underground Railroad
was a secret network of people who helped enslaved people from the South find freedom in
Canada. It operated until the end of the Civil War, in 1865.
The Center also celebrates “Everyday Freedom Heroes.” One of those heroes is William
DeHart Hubbard, a Cincinnati native. At a time when African Americans were barred from
professional sports, Hubbard became a track-and-field star at the University of Michigan. In
1924, he became the first African American athlete to win an individual gold medal at the
Paris Olympics.
Using the chart below, combine details the writer provides with what you already know to draw a
conclusion about William DeHart Hubbard’s character and personality.
Details
What I Know
Conclusion
84
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Ladder to Success continued
Practice 2
Read the passage. What conclusion can you draw about the numbers of whooping cranes in
existence? What can you infer about researchers working to save the whooping crane?
Everyone knows that siblings can get on each other’s nerves. However, when it comes to the
worst sibling rivalry, the prize goes to whooping cranes.The female whooping crane lays two eggs,
but only one chick is likely to survive.The other is killed by its sibling or by another predator.
Whooping cranes are endangered. Many animal charities support researchers who are searching for
ways to increase the chances for the chicks’ survival. One plan involves taking one of the eggs from
the crane’s nest before the chicks hatch. Researchers who support this idea believe that it gives both
chicks a greater chance of survival. Opponents feel that humans should not interfere with nature’s
plan. It’s just too bad that whooping cranes can’t teach their chicks to be nicer to each other.
Use this graphic organizer to draw a conclusion about how animal charities help whooping cranes.
Details
What I Know
Conclusion
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85
Ladder to Success continued
Practice 3
Read the passage. Then draw conclusions and make inferences to answer the questions. Make
a graphic organizer on a separate sheet of paper to organize your thoughts.
Dave was raking leaves in Mrs. Jade’s yard, trying not to get the rake stuck on the skinny metal
legs of Mrs. Jade’s plastic pink flamingoes. Some people in town thought the flamingoes were an
eyesore, but Mrs. Jade didn’t care. “I’m too old to cater to other people’s tastes,” she
told Dave.
A few minutes later, Mr. Lowe, who lived three streets over, marched up the walkway. He
knocked on Mrs. Jade’s door, handed her a letter, and then turned and marched away. Mrs. Jade
put on her glasses. “It says I have to get rid of the flamingoes, or they’ll take me to court,” she
told Dave.
“Don’t let them bully you,” Dave said.
“I don’t have the money to fight them,” she answered as she began removing the flamingoes,
one by one, from her lawn.
Watching Mrs. Jade made Dave sad and angry. Suddenly, he remembered what his social studies
teacher had said about the huge protest marches of the 1960s. So later that day Dave asked his
parents and some of their nearest neighbors to help carry out his plan. “There’s power in
numbers,” he told them.
The next morning, when Mrs. Jade walked outside to get her paper, she was stunned. Every
front lawn on the street, including hers, was covered with pink plastic flamingoes.
1. What details provide clues to Mrs. Jade’s age, personality, and circumstances?
2. What conclusions can you draw about Dave from his behavior?
3. What conclusions can you draw about Dave’s parents and neighbors from what happens at the
end of the story?
86
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L DDERS
Guided Instruction 2
LESSON
6
Drawing Conclusions
and Making
Inferences
Writers don’t always state everything there is to know about characters, settings, events, and
ideas, but they do provide clues to help you figure out what they don’t tell you directly. You can
combine these clues with what you already know to draw conclusions and make
inferences.
As you saw on pages 83–85, graphic organizers help you draw conclusions and make
inferences.
• In the first box, write details you learn by reading.
• In the second box, write things you already know about the subject.
• Write your conclusion in the last box.
Read the passage. What is one conclusion you can draw about the relationship
between the birds and the beasts?
It was during the final and fiercest war between the birds and the beasts that Bat sealed
his fate for all eternity. As is often the case in war, the reason why the fighting had
erupted was never clear, but one thing was apparent. Bat didn’t support either group.
Think About It
Story Details
What I Know
The birds and beasts
were fighting in their
final and fiercest war.
Opponents in war
are enemies.
Conclusion
The birds and beasts
were long-time
enemies.
Preview and Predict
When you preview, you look to see what the topic is. When you predict, you make a
reasonable guess about what you will learn or what will happen in a passage.
• Before you read, look at the title and then scan the article or story. Look for key words
that will give you an idea of the topic or the characters and their problems.
• Make predictions about what you will learn or what will happen in the story. As you
read, confirm or change your predictions and continue to make new predictions.
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87
Guided Instruction 2 continued
Read the story. Use the Reading Guide for tips that can help you preview and predict and draw
conclusions and make inferences as you read.
Reading
Guide
What do you think the story
will be about based on the
title?
What does the writer say
about the reason the fighting
erupted? Look for words that
suggest how the writer feels
about Bat’s decision not to
take sides.
What details can you use to
figure out how the birds and
beasts feel about Bat after the
war ends?
How do characters usually
react when they are
embarrassed about their
actions?
It was during the final and fiercest war between the birds
and the beasts that Bat sealed his fate for all eternity. As is often
the case in war, the reason why the fighting had erupted was
never clear, but one thing was apparent. Bat didn’t support
either group. However, don’t be misled. His decision was more
selfish than noble.
At the outbreak of the war, the birds asked Bat to join
forces with them against the beasts, but Bat declined. “I am one
of them,” he declared. “It wouldn’t be right for me to wage war
against my own kind.” So the war continued. Some time later,
the beasts also tried to enlist Bat’s aid. His ability to fly among
the enemy would be a tremendous asset to their cause. Once
again, Bat declined, offering the beasts the same excuse he had
given the birds.
Eventually the birds and the beasts grew tired of the
conflict, and the war ended in a truce. While both sides were
celebrating, Bat decided to align himself with the birds. He flew
among them and declared, “I want to be a bird.”The birds
ignored him. In fact, they flew off without a word or a glance.
Bat then went among the beasts. “I want to be a beast,” he
shouted, trying to be heard above the festivities. The beasts
responded with scorn as the birds had and would not
acknowledge his presence.
Miserable and alone, Bat descended
into the darkest regions of
Earth to live. Even
now, it is only when
twilight falls that Bat
dares to show himself.
Answer the questions
on the next page.
88
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L DDERS
LESSON
Practice the Skill 2
6
Drawing Conclusions
and Making
Inferences
Practice drawing conclusions and making inferences by answering questions about the story you
just read. Read each question. Circle the letter of the best answer.
1. From the details in the story, you know
that —
A
B
neither the birds nor the beasts could
explain why they were fighting
the birds and the beasts would never live
in harmony
C the birds and the beasts did not
understand the consequences of war
D the birds attacked the beasts first
2. From the details in the story, you can
conclude that the reason Bat doesn’t take
sides at the breakout of the war is because
he —
4. What can you conclude about Bat from the
excuses he gives both the birds and the
beasts?
A
He has no idea where he belongs.
B
He would rather fly than crawl.
C He has grown tired of being torn
between the two groups.
D He feels that he is a both a bird and
a beast.
5. Based on how they treat Bat after the war
ends, which word best describes what the
birds and the beasts feel for Bat?
A
Anger
A
does not like the birds or the beasts
B
Admiration
B
does not want to fight his friends
C Sadness
C admires the qualities of both sides
D Respect
D knows the war will end soon
3. What did the beasts probably want Bat to
do for them?
A
Surrender to the birds
B
Negotiate peace
6. On a separate sheet of paper, use details in
the story and what you know about how
characters act to draw a conclusion about
why Bat only shows himself at twilight.
C Spy on the birds
D Become a foot soldier
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89
George Mason University rises above the University
of Connecticut to reach the Final Four.
FAIRFAX, VA—George Mason University has
made history. Out of nowhere, this Virginia university,
not known as a basketball powerhouse, had an
unexpected moment of fame. It all took place during
the 2006 NCAA “March Madness” basketball
tournament.
The tournament is one of the country’s bestloved sports events of the year. For over 20 days, 64
teams compete for the national championship. Teams
with top basketball programs are usually the ones that
make it to the final rounds.
Everyone expected that George Mason would
not make it past the first round. After all, no other
schools had tried to recruit members of their team. In
fact, the team barely made it to the tournament.
Amazingly, however, they defeated four teams,
including the former champions of the University of
North Carolina, and the University of Connecticut,
whom many people picked as the winner.Their wild
ride made them one of the tournament’s “Final Four”
teams. Although they lost their next game to that
year’s champion, the University of Florida, the
experience will have a lasting effect on the college.
In addition to putting their school on the map,
the players represented George Mason with class.
They demonstrated teamwork that was recognized by
coaches, players, and fans alike. Head Coach Jim
Larranaga stresses the value of playing loose and
having fun. He teaches his players to work hard and
play for the team, not for themselves. As a result, the
camaraderie and passion that the players shared will
remain an inspiration for years to come.
Write About It
Based on what you have read, write a paragraph on the conclusions you can draw about the
impact the basketball team’s success might have on the future of the school.
90
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L DDERS
LESSON
Show What You Learned
6
Drawing Conclusions
and Making
Inferences
Read this story about skyscrapers. Then answer the questions on the next page.
The true story of the building of Chrysler Building has all the elements of a great movie—an
exciting race, a dramatic ending, and a surprising twist.
This is how it happened.
In the 1880s, tall buildings known as skyscrapers began to define the skylines of large
American cities. As investors and builders tried to outdo each other, skyscrapers grew taller and
more spectacular in design.
By the middle of 1929, New York City’s Woolworth Building, at 792 feet, had held the title of
the world’s tallest building for over a decade. But the competition to build a taller skyscraper was
heating up. Intensity peaked that summer when what newspapers called “the race for the sky”
grabbed everyone’s attention. In the midst of America’s Great Depression, people finally had
something else to talk about besides their economic problems. It was a welcome break.
The opponents in this “race for the sky” were Walter Chrysler, the head of an automobile
company, and George L. Ohrstrom, a banker.
Several years earlier, Chrysler had announced plans to build a skyscraper in New York City. At
808 feet high, it would be the world’s tallest building. But then Ohrstrom topped Chrysler when
he revealed his design for the 67-story, 840-foot-tall Bank of Manhattan Building.
In the spring of 1930, the race drew to a close. As both buildings
neared completion, Ohrstrom appeared to have a clear advantage.
However, to guarantee the outcome, he had his architect add a large
lantern and a 50-foot flagpole to the top of the building.When it was
finally completed, the Bank of Manhattan Building stood a recordbreaking 925 feet tall.
But Ohrstrom’s victory celebration didn’t last long. Chrysler and his
architect had a surprise in store for everyone. In November, when it was
no longer possible to make any changes to the Bank of Manhattan
Building, Chrysler’s construction crew made one final adjustment to his
building.They lifted a 175-foot spire through an opening they had left at
the top of the building.The spire had been constructed inside the
building.When it was in place, the Chrysler Building stood 1,030 feet
tall.The race was over, and Chrysler had won.
The Chrysler Building’s reign as the world’s tallest building lasted
only a few months. In April 1931, a new skyscraper, standing 86 stories
high and 1,250 feet tall, was completed. It was the Empire State Building.
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91
Show What You Learned continued
Read each question. Circle the letter of the best answer.
1. From the details in the article, you can
conclude that before the 1880s —
A
buildings were smaller
B
there were only one-story or two-story
buildings
5. Based on the actions of his architect, you
can guess that as the race came to a close
Ohrstrom —
A
never doubted the outcome
B
was extremely patriotic
C there were no fancy buildings
C suspected he might lose
D the only skyscrapers were in New York
D was worried people wouldn’t be able to
see the top of his building
2. From the information in the article, what is
one conclusion you can draw about why
skyscrapers grew so tall?
6. The details in the article suggest that
Chrysler and his architect —
A
Competition among investors
A
didn’t care about breaking a record
B
The need for more office space
B
came up with the idea for the spire at
the last minute
C A desire to improve city landscapes
D Changes in the economy
3. From what the author tells you, what
conclusion can you draw about the public’s
interest in the “race for the sky”?
A
They disliked tall buildings.
B
They wanted to see how tall buildings
could get.
C were surprised by outcome of the race
D kept the construction of the spire a
secret
7. Which of these statements is a reasonable
conclusion you can draw based on
information in the article?
A
The Empire State Building was
constructed entirely in secret.
B
The Empire State Building was built to
win the “race for the sky.”
C They were hoping for a dramatic ending.
D They needed something to take their
minds off their troubles.
C Chrysler and Ohrstrom became friends
after the competition ended.
4. You can infer that Chrysler and Ohrstrom —
A
were bitter enemies
B
were quite wealthy
C hired award-winning architects
D did not know one another
92
D Everyone was disappointed that the
“race for the sky” had ended.
8. On a separate sheet of paper, write your
own conclusions about why Chrysler
and Ohrstrom may have wanted to
build the world’s tallest skyscraper.
Support your conclusion with details
from the article.
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